Coastal processes

Question 1

Abrasion

Answer 1

Bits of rock and sand waves grind down cliff surfaces like sandpaper

Question 2

Attrition

Answer 2

Waves smashing rocks and pebbles into each other, and they break and become smoother

Question 3

Corrosion or Solution

Answer 3

Acids contained in sea water will dissolve some types of rock such as chalk or limestone

Question 4

Hydraulic action

Answer 4

air may become trapped in joints and cracks on a cliff face. When a wave breaks, the trapped air is compressed which weakens the cliff and causes erosion.

Question 5

Constructive waves

Answer 5

They are waves that break on the shore and deposit material, building up beaches. They have a swash that is stronger than the backwash.

Question 6

Destructive waves

Answer 6

They are created from big, strong waves when the wind is powerful and has been blowing for a long time.
They occur when wave energy is high and the wave has travelled over a long fetch.
They tend to erode the coast.
They have a stronger backwash than swash.
They have a short wave length and are high and steep.

Question 7

Backwash

Answer 7

The motion of receding waves. The bigger the backwash the more destructive the waves is.

Question 8

Barrier beach

Answer 8

A sand or shingle bar above high tide, parallel to the coastline and separated from it by a lagoon